Cycling shell or vest with pocket access

ABSTRACT

A cycling outer shell worn over a cycling jersey comprises a torso portion made of panels. Front and back surfaces of the torso portion cover the front and back of the wearer, respectively. A cutout in the lower portion of the back surface is in alignment with the jersey pockets, and has a peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge portions, and bottom and top edge portions. The width between the lateral edge portions of the cutout and the height between the bottom and top edge portions are generally corresponding to those of the jersey pockets, thereby.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present application pertains to cycling gear (i.e., clothing), and more particularly to outer shells such as vests, jackets and rain jackets worn during cycling activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

In addition to the health benefits, cycling is a popular sport in that riders generally get to travel on longer distances. Considering the long distances often traveled and the need for riders to carry food, gear, tools and personal effects, cycling jerseys are commonly equipped with back pockets in a lower portion of the jerseys. The back pockets are located above the hips of the wearer, in the waist region, and generally opposite the kidney area.

Such pockets are quite convenient for riders who do not want to carry large bags on their bicycles in order not to increase the drag coefficient of the bicycle, or who want to have access to food, gear, etc within arm's reach.

Due to the longer duration of the cycling activity, the rider may be exposed to changing environmental conditions, such as rain and temperature increase. Moreover, cycling may often include hill climbing and the subsequent descending. The rider must often produce a strong effort to climb, resulting in sweat and moist clothing, and the subsequent downhill velocities cause a chilling factor on the rider. For these reasons, cyclists commonly carry additional outer shells in their rear pockets. For instance, vests are commonly used as a windbreaker to protect the torso of the rider in downhill riding. Rain jackets may be used in case of rain.

A disadvantage of such outer shells is that the rear pockets of the jersey are not readily accessible when an outer shell is worn. The rider may have to stop to access the pockets or must be particularly agile so as to raise the bottom edge of the outer shell to reach an interior of the pocket. In racing or competitive cycling, such maneuvers are hazardous and may even cause falls.

Additionally, in racing events, a bib with an identifying number is typically worn on the back pockets. The use of an outer shell prevents commissioners from seeing the rider's identification. A rider does not want to have to move the bib from the back pockets of the jersey to the outer shell.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide an outer shell such as a vest or jacket that addresses issues related to the prior art.

It is a further aim of the present disclosure to provide an outer shell such as a vest or jacket that facilitates access to jersey back pockets.

It is still a further aim of the present disclosure to provide an outer shell such as a vest or jacket that allows for an identification bib to be seen on the back of the rider.

Therefore, in accordance with the present application, there is provided a cycling outer shell worn over a cycling jersey by a wearer comprising: at least a torso portion made of panels of at least one material, the torso portion having a back surface adapted to cover a back of the wearer when worn, and a front surface to cover a chest of the wearer when worn; and a cutout defined in a lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and located in alignment with pockets of the cycling jersey, the cutout having a peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge portions, a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, with a width dimension between the lateral edge portions of the cutout generally equal to a width of the pockets of the cycling jersey, and with a height dimension between the bottom edge portion and the top edge portion of the cutout generally equal to a height of the pockets of the cycling jersey.

Further in accordance with the present application, there is provided a cycling outer shell worn over a cycling jersey by a wearer comprising: at least a torso portion made of panels of at least one material, the torso portion having a back surface adapted to cover a back of the wearer when worn, and a front surface to cover a chest of the wearer when worn; a panel of see-through material located in a lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and forming a window located opposite pockets of the cycling jersey; and a slit defined in the lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and located above pockets of the cycling jersey, the slit opening to an interior of the outer shell to provide direct access to the pockets of the cycling jersey, the slit having a width dimension generally equal to a width of the pockets of the cycling jersey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a rider wearing an outer shell in accordance with the present disclosure, above a cycling jersey having back pockets;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the outer shell of FIG. 1, in a long-sleeve configuration;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the outer shell of FIG. 1, in a vest configuration;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of an outer shell in accordance with yet another embodiment, having a see-through panel and slit; and

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the outer shell of FIG. 4, with a flap over the slit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an outer shell 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The outer shell 10 is illustrated as being a vest worn over a jersey A. However, the outer shell 10 could be a jacket as well, such as a windbreaker jacket or a rain jacket. For illustrative purposes, the jersey A is illustrated as having rear pockets B. The jersey A is a conventional jersey and, therefore, typically has three pockets B, although more or fewer pockets could be provided as well. The jersey A has short sleeves C, but could also be a long-sleeve jersey or midlength-sleeve jersey, or even a sleeveless top. An identification bib D is also shown in FIG. 1, and the identification bib D is commonly used in race cycling for race commissioners to identify the rider.

The outer shell 10 has a torso portion 12. The torso portion 12 is made of one or multiple panels and is typically provided with a zip fastener. The torso portion 12 covers the torso of the user and has a back surface 14 and a front surface 16, with the zip fastener typically provided on the front surface 16. Unless specified, the material used for the outer shell 10 may be any appropriate material. For instance, the front surface 16 is typically made of a windbreaker material, a waterproof material, and/or a multiple-ply insulation material. The back surface 14 may involve the same material as for the front surface 16. Meshing material is also commonly used for the back surface 14, as windbreaking properties are not required on the rider's back. In other words, any appropriate material may be used for the outer shell 10, and material is typically chosen as a function of the contemplated use and the riding conditions.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the outer shell 10 is sleeveless, but may also feature sleeves, such as shown in FIG. 2, with the sleeves illustrated at 18.

Referring concurrently to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer shell 10 is provided with a cutout 20 in the lower back region of the back surface 14. The cutout 20 is aligned with the pockets B of the jersey A, and may be generally obround, rink-shaped (i.e., with at least some rounded corners), rectangular, etc. The cutout 20 is defined by a peripheral edge 22 with a width W and a height H. The height H (i.e., distance between the top edge portion and the bottom edge portion of the peripheral edge 22) is typically chosen as a function of the height of the pockets B, while the width (i.e., distance between the lateral edge portions of the peripheral edge 22) is selected as a function of the width of all pockets B. It may be desired that the top portion of the peripheral edge 22 slightly cover a top edge of the pockets B. Alternatively, the top portion of the peripheral edge 22 may be slightly above a top edge of the pockets B. Similarly, a bottom edge of the peripheral edge 22 may be slightly below a bottom of the pockets B or slightly above same. According to an embodiment, height H of the cutout 20 has a value generally equal to or greater than a height of the jersey pockets B. According to the same or another embodiment, width W of the cutout 20 has a value generally equal to (i.e., slightly smaller or greater) than a width of the jersey pockets B. By generally equal, it is meant that the cutout 20 is within a few inches of the dimension of the pockets B, i.e., the dimensions are similar or correspond.

In FIG. 2, a bottom strip 24 bounds a bottom of the cutout 20, and forms part of the peripheral edge 22. The bottom strip 24 may be an elastic. The elastic may be sized so as to slightly resiliently deform when the outer shell 10 is worn. Therefore, a bottom portion of the outer shell 10 contours the upper buttocks/lower back portion of the rider. Moreover, an elastic used as the bottom strip 24 may wrap around the bosses formed by the contents in the pockets B. This enhances the tight fitting of the outer shell 10 at the bottom of the torso of the wearer.

Accordingly, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an interior of the pockets B is accessible despite the outer shell 10 being worn. As outer shells 10 are typically worn tight or in close fitting relation with the torso, there is no loose material that prevents access to the pockets B. Also, the identifying bib D is visible despite the outer shell 10 being worn.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom strip 24 may alternatively be a simple strip of material, as opposed to an elastic. A border 30 may be sewn or adhered to the peripheral edge 22, with the border being, for instance, an elastic material. In both the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom strip 24 may have an inner surface with a gripping material such as a rubber or like sticky material to ensure that the bottom edge of the outer shell 10 remains in position below the pockets B. The gripping material may be an additional strip of material adhered or sown to the strip 24, or may be seams of rubbery filament, among other possibilities.

Referring to FIG. 3, a removable cover is shown at 25. The removable cover 25 may be provided with the outer shell 10 (for instance being sold together). The removable cover 25 is used to close the cutout 20, in instances where the pockets B should not be exposed. As an example, in rainy or damp conditions, it may be desired to cover the pockets B, and thus protect their contents from rain. In order to be secured to the periphery of the cutout 20, the cover 25 may be equipped with a peripheral fastener 26, for cooperative engagement with a fastener shown as the border 30. According to an embodiment, the peripheral fastener 26 is a hook component of Velcro™ strip while the border 30 is a strip of loop component of Velcro™ strip, or vice-versa. Moreover, the fastener may not need to be about the full periphery. Other fastener systems comprise a zip closure, etc.

The cover 25 may consist of the same material as that of the torso portion 12 of the outer shell 10. Alternatively, the cover 25 may be made from a transparent material, to allow an identifying bib D to be visible despite the cover 25 being secured to the outer shell 10. It is pointed out that the cover 25 may be used on the configuration of the outer shell 10 with the elastic bottom strip 24.

Referring to FIG. 4, the back surface 14 of the torso portion 12 features a see-through panel 40 to cover the back pockets B of the jersey A. The see-through panel 40 is made of a transparent impermeable material, and is solely present in the lower region of the torso portion 12, namely opposite the back pockets B. A slit 42 is defined adjacent to an upper edge of the see-through panel 40, and is positioned slightly above a top edge of the pockets B for access to the pockets. The slit 42 may be defined in the see-through panel 40, or in the material of a remainder of the back surface 14. A width of the slit 42 is generally equal to the width of the pockets B of the jersey A, although the slit 42 may be slightly wider. Reinforcements (i.e., additional material) are typically provided at the opposed ends of the slits 42 to prevent tears. The slit 42 is typically surrounded by a border 44 for this reason.

Therefore, the presence of the see-through panel in combination with the slit 42 allows the rider to access the interior of the pockets B, while allowing commissioners to see the identification bib D through the see-through panel 40, as the see-through panel defines a window opposite the identification bib D.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flap 50 is shown above the slit 42. The flap 50 may be secured to the remainder of the torso portion by a quick-release fastener such as Velcro™ 52. The flap 50 is to limit the amount of water entering through the slit 42, for instance in case of rain.

The outer shell 10 may have any other appropriate features commonly present in cycling outer shells, such as reflective material, windbreaking flaps over the zip fastener, waist elastic, branding, etc. 

1. A cycling outer shell worn over a cycling jersey by a wearer comprising: at least a torso portion made of panels of at least one material, the torso portion having a back surface adapted to cover a back of the wearer when worn, and a front surface to cover a chest of the wearer when worn; and a cutout defined in a lower portion of the back surface of the torso portion and located in alignment with pockets of the cycling jersey, the cutout having a peripheral edge with opposite lateral edge portions, a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, with a width dimension between the lateral edge portions of the cutout generally corresponding to a width of the pockets of the cycling jersey, and with a height dimension between the bottom edge portion and the top edge portion of the cutout generally corresponding to a height of the pockets of the cycling jersey.
 2. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the bottom edge portion of the cutout is defined by a strip of material, the strip of material being an elastic.
 3. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the peripheral edge comprises a border of material sown onto the material of the back surface of the torso portion.
 4. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein upper corners of the cutout are rounded.
 5. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein an inward surface of at least a bottom strip of material defining the bottom edge portion of the cutout has a gripping material thereon.
 6. The outer shell according to claim 1, further comprising a zip fastener in the front surface of the torso portion.
 7. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the torso portion has an elastic member adapted to surround a waist of the wearer.
 8. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the height dimension between the bottom edge portion and the top edge portion of the cutout is greater than the height of the pockets of the cycling jersey.
 9. The outer shell according to claim 1, wherein the cutout is sized and positioned with the back surface of the torso portion to have the top edge portion of the cutout above a top of the pockets of the cycling jersey.
 10. The outer shell according to claim 1, further comprising a removable cover panel, and fastener means between the removable cover panel and a periphery of the cutout for releasably securing the removable cover panel to the torso portion to cover the cutout. 